Metal spring cover



Dec. 19, 1933. o. E. LEIGHTON 1,940,425

METAL SPRING COVER Filed May 19, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1.

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1933. o. E. LEIGHTON METAL SPRING COVER Filed May 19, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 &

lnvenror. Oscar ELeighTon W MkW ATfys Dec. 19; 1933.

o. E. LEIGHTON 1,940,425

METAL SPRING COVER Filed May 19, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Figl Ill/l- W///////// ////////II///A lnvenror. Oscar E. LeighTon byfwz MX/W Patented Dec. 19 193?;

METAL SPRING COVER 7 Oscar E. Leighton, Cambridge, Mass, assignor to Ajax Spring Stabilizer Company, Cambridge, Mass., a corporation of Illinois Application May 19, 1930. Serial No. 453,437

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in spring covers and the principal object thereof is to provide a spring cover formed of sections fabricated to conform to and closely to embrace corresponding sections of the spring, with the contiguous ends of said sections telescopically engaged, and having means connecting adjacent sections operable to prevent relative longitudinal movement therebetween along one. of the horizontal portions of the cover while permitting relative movement of the opposite longitudinal portion of the cover in response to fiexure of the spring.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spring cover of the character'described in which the horizontal portions of the telescoping ends of the sections are permanently connected together, thereby providing in effect a spring cover unit in which all of the sections may be applied to the spring and thereafter permanently looked upon the spring.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spring cover of the character above described in which the telescoping ends of the horizontal upper portions of the spring cover sections are permanently secured together by molten metal, as by solderng or welding.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spring cover of the character above described in which the telescoping ends of certain horizontal portions of the cover are permanently secured together and the opposite horizontal portions of each of said sections are provided with longitudinally extending overlapping edges adapted to be permanently engaged, the overlapping edge portions of certain of said sections terminating sufllciently short of the ends of the overlapping edge portions of adjacentsections as to permit relative longitudinal movement therebetween. v

Another object of the invention is to provide a spring cover comprising a plurality of alternating outer and inner sheet metal sections fabricated to conform to and closely to embrace corresponding sections of the spring with the ends of the outer sections telescopically overlapping the ends of the inner sections, with means pref erably integrally connectingsaid section s acting to prevent relative longitudinal movement of certain horizontal portions of said sections While permitting longitudinal relative movement of the' opposite portions thereof.

' A further object of the invention is to provide each of the outer sections of a spring cover of the character last described with overlapping edge portions adapted to be permanently locked together after the cover is applied to the spring and to clamp the inner sections upon the spring.

A further object of the invention is to provide a spring cover having alternating outer. and inner sheet metal sections, the ends of the outer sections telescopically overlapping the ends of the inner sections, with certain horizontal portions of the telescoping ends secured together to prevent relative longitudinal movement therebetween and with the opposite relatively movable horizontal portion of such sections provided with longitudinally extending overlapping edges adapted to be interlocked and compressed to form locked seams, and with the locked seams 'of the inner sections terminating sufficiently short of the ends of the outer sections to avoid. interference with said relative longitudinal movement. 1

These and other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings and will be particularly pointed out in the claims. i

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the" accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of spring cover shown as applied to a half section of an elliptical spring;

Fig.2 is a vertical sectional view on line 22, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the spring and spring cover illustrated in Fig. 1 in inverted position;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view' of one of the sec tions of the spring cover in which the longitudinal extensions of the edge portions of the cover are adapted to be interengaged to form a locked seam terminating short of the end of the section; V

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a section of the spring cover in which the longitudinally extending edge portions of the cover, which are adapted to be interengaged to form a locked seam, extend the full length of the section;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of a difierent form of spring-cover section in which the lower portions of the cover are adapted to abut after having been applied ,to the spring;

Fig. 7 is aside elevation of a spring cover ap plied to a half section of a spring in which the cover is formed of inner and outer sections having their contiguous ends interengaged with the outer sections having overlapping edges adapted to be permanently connected together after the cover is applied to the spring and which serve to lock the inner intermediate sections upon the spring;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the construction illustrated in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view on line 99, Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view in perspective of'a spring construction of the type illustrated in Fig. 8, illustrating the outer and inner spring cover sections with their contiguous ends telescopically engaged and with the locked seam of the inner section terminating short of the ends of the outer sections;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a spring cover comprising outer and inner sections having their contiguous ends telescopically engagedwith the horizontal portions of the telescoping ends permanently secured together to form a unit pre-- pared for application to the spring;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of 'a spring and spring covers for each half of the spring, comprising sections having their contiguous ends telescopically engaged, with means pivotally con- 'necting the sections together to prevent relative movement of .the horizontal portions of ad jacent sections at one side of the spring, but to permit relative movement of the other horizontal portions of adjacent sections of the springs;

Fig. 13 is a perspective View of 'one of the units illustrated at the right hand side of the spring shown in Fig '12, illustrating the longitudinally extending edges which when applied to the springs are interengaged to form a locked seam terminating short of the end of the section;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view on line 14-44, Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of an inverted portion of a spring and spring cover, illustrating the longitudinally extending plate interposed between the under horizontal portions of the spring cover sections 'and'folded over at its ends to prevent relative longitudinal movement of the lower portions of said sections and to complete the closure between abutting edges of the inner sections; i

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the plate illustrated in Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of one of the spring cover sections applied to the left end of the construction illustrated in Fig. 12;

Fig. 18 is a detail vertical sectional View along the longitudinal central plane of the construction illustrated at the left end of Fig. 12, showing particularly the interlocking means for preventing relative longitudinal movement of the upper horizontal portions of the springcover and the separation of the locked seam joints at the lower horizontal portions of the sections to permit relative movement between the lower portions of said sections;

Fig. 19 is a side elevation of a half .s ection of a spring having mounted thereupon a spring cover embodying the present invention comprising alternating outer and inner spring cover sections and illustrating different means by which the telescoping ends of adjacent sections are connected to prevent relative longitudinal .movement of one of the horizontal portions of tion between adjacent sections shown in the right hand half of Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is a longitudinal sectional view in the vertical axial plane of the spring cover, the spring being illustrated in elevation and showing alternating outer and inner spring cover sections pivotally connected together along the upper horizontal portion of the cover, with the locking means for the outer sections clamping the inner sections upon the spring;

Fig. 22 is a transverse sectional view on line 2222, Fig. 21;

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of an outer spring section of the construction illustrated in Fig. 21 shown in inverted position and before assembly; and,

Fig. 24 is a similar view of the inner section of the spring cover illustrated in Fig. 21.

The embodiments of the invention disclosed herein comprise improvements upon the spring cover construction disclosed in the patent to Fred SchlesserNo. 1,64s8,742, granted November 8, 1927.

Several illustrative embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings. A preferred construction is illustrated in Fig. 1 as applied to one-half of an elliptical spring 1 which is secured by the usual U-bo1t 2 to the spring chair 3 and is provided at its opposite end with an eye 4 to receive the spring shackle by which it is secured to the side frame of a vehicle.

The spring cover illustrated in this construction comprises a plurality of sheet metal sections 5, 6, 'I, and 8, fabricated'to conform to and closely to embrace corresponding sections of the spring, with the smaller ends of each section telescopically entering and engaging the larger end of the next section. The upper horizontal portion of each of the sections is secured to' the adjacent section by means for preventing relative longitudinal movement of said upper horizontal portions. In this construction it is accomplished by securing the telescoping end portions together by fusible metal, such as a line of soldering 9 which is shown as connecting the horizontal portions of the sections 5 and 6 together, or alternatively by spot welding 10 which is shown as connecting the horizontal portions of the sections 6 and 7. together, or by a single spot weld 10 which is illustrated as connecting the horizontal portions of the sections 7 and 8 together.

The several sections of the metal spring cover are fabricated, as above described, to conform to and to embrace corresponding sections of the spring, and in the construction illustrated in Figs '1 to 4 each of the sections 5, 6, and '7 is provided with longitudinally extending complementary edge portions 11 and 12 adapted to that in the present construction certain of the interlocking edge portions terminate sufliciently short of one end of the adjacent section to provide a recess 14, (see Fig. 3) between the end of the locked seam and the adjacent end of the next section which will permit relative longitudinal movement of the adjacent sections, except along the horizontal portions of ,said sections which are secured together against such longitudinal movement. 7 I

If the cover properly fitted the spring and both the upper and lower horizontal portions were so secured together, as to prevent relative longitudinal movement of either or both of such horizontal portions, flexing of the spring would either be prevented or the flexing of the spring would quickly distort or rupture the cover.

In Fig. 7 a modified form of construction'is illustrated which comprises alternatingv outerand inner sections, the outer sections 15, 16, and 17 telescopically embracing the contiguous ends of the inner sections 18 and 19. The outer sections 15, 16, and 1'7, asdisclosed in this construction, are provided with longitudinal complementary edge extensions 20 and 21, preferably of the character above described, adapted to be interengaged and compressed to form a locked seam, while the lower edge portions 22 and 23 of the inner or intermediate sections are fiat and may abut at their edges or overlap. The outer sections 15, 16, and 1'7, which telescopically surround the ends of the inner sectionswhen locked upon the spring, serve firmly to clamp the inner sections 18 and 19 upon the spring.

In these constructions, as in those disclosed in the Schlesser patent above mentioned, thespring desirablyis wrappedwith a fabric containing a lubricant having water-repellant properties and containing a rust-preventing compo-.

sition.

A modified form of construction is illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 11, which comprises outer spring cover sections 24, 25, and 26, and intermediate inner sections 27 Y and 28, the ends 'of which are telescopically enclosed by the con-' ;tiguous ends of the outer sections. In this construction the outer sections are provided with extended edge portions which are interengaged and compressed to form a locked seam 29 and the inner sections are also provided with extended complementary edge portions adapted to be interlocked to form a locked seam 30. The extended edge portions of the intermediate sections, however, terminate sufliciently short of the adjacent ends of the outer sections to pro- ';vide recesses 31 and 32 of suflicient length to permit relative movement between the lower portions of the inner and outer sections in response to flexure of the spring without causing the ends of the locked seam to engage the adjacent ends of the outer sections.

Covers for the end portions of the spring may be fabricated and the upper horizontal portions thereof welded together to provide a continuous spring cover, as illustrated in Fig. 11, adapted [130 be applied as a unit to the spring, thereby facilitating the assembling of the spring cover upon the spring.

In Figs. 12 to 18 other embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In the spring cover ..'Iconstruction shown as embracing the left half of the spring illustrated in Fig. 12 the upper horizontal portion of each of the spring cover sections 33, 34, and 35, is provided with an upwardly extending preferably spherical boss 36 which engages a complementary socket in a boss movement of the upper horizontal portions of the spring cover sections, but willpermit relative movement of the lower portions thereof. Eachof these sections is provided with complementary longitudinally extending edge portions 38 and 39, (see Fig. 17) adapted to form a. locked. seam 40, but however. terminating. sufliciently short of the smaller end of the section, which telescopes into the next adjacent section, to permit free lateral movement of the lower portions of the sections in response to the flexure of the spring; v .i

In the spring cover construction illustratedat the right end of, the spring shown in Fig. 12, the telescoping ends of the respective sections are provided with complementary spherical bosses in sockets 41 of the character above described which are located in the side walls of the sections. in proximity to the lines upon which the sides of the spring covers are folded to form the lower horizontal portions of the cover.

. In this construction the interengaging bosses and sockets connect the lower portions of the spring cover sections in such a mannerv as to prevent relative longitudinal movement of the lower.portions of the spring covers, .while permitting the pivotal movement, enabling the upper horizontal portions .of the spring covers to have relative longitudinal movement.

In the embodiment of the inventiondisclosed inFig. 1 5, the upper horizontal portion of the spring section is omitted and the spring sections held in assembled position by a plate 42 which desirably is substantially the same width as that of the springand lies between the under face of the leaves of the spring and the lower horizontal 1 portionsof the spring cover, the ends of the plate 42 desirably being provided with bending lines 43 and 44 to permit the ends of the plate to be bent over the ends of the spring sections which are respectively adjacent the eye of the 1 spring, as illustrated in Fig. 15, and with the oppositeend of the plate bent over the end of the section adjacent the spring chair.

By reason of this construction the lower horizontal portions of the spring sections are held 1 against relative longitudinal movement, while relative longitudinal movement of the upper horizontal portions of the sections is permitted.

Other embodiments of the invention are illustrated in Figs. 19 to 24 inclusive. In the construction illustrated in Fig. 19, the spring cover comprises outer sections 45, 46, and 47, and intermediate sections 48 and 49, the ends of which are telescopically engaged within the ends of the adjacent outer sections. The spring cover sec- 1 tion of Fig. 19 is illustrated in perspective in Fig. 20 and is provided with outwardly extending sockets 50 adapted to be engaged by complementary spherical bosses upon the telescoping end of the section 48, the opposite end of the 1 section being similarly pivotally connected to the section 46.

In the construction illustrated in Fig. 21, the outer sections 51 and 52 are provided with sockets 53 and 54 which receive spherical bosses or 1 ribs 55 and 56 respectively upon the inner section 5'7. The outer sections 51 and 52 are illustrated in perspective in Fig. 23 as provided with com-. plementary longitudinally extending edges 58 and 59 adapted to be interengaged and com- 1 pressed to form a locked seam as aforesaid, while the intermediate section 5'7, which is illustrated in perspective in Fig. 24, is provided with flat lower portions adapted to overlap, the ends being eneclosed by the slightly offset adjacent end portions 60 and 61 of the outer section, sufficient freedom being permitted to' permit relative movement of the lower horizontal portions of the adjacent spring'sections.

While the locked seam construction is shown as connecting the overlapping edges of the lower horizontal portions ofocertainor all of the spring sections for the purpose of permanently securing the spring cover upon the spring, it will be obvious that other means of locking the overlapping edge sections together may be employed, such as soldering or welding, and that the present invention contemplates broadly a spring cover construction" comprising a plurality of sheet metal sections fabricated to conform to and closely to embrace corresponding sections of the spring, with their contiguous edges telescopically engaged, and having overlapping edge portions adapted to be permanently locked together after the cover is applied to the spring, with means connecting adjacent sections operable to prevent substantial relative longitudinal movement between contiguous horizontal sections at oneside'of the spring, while permitting relative longitudinal movement between the opposite horizontal portions of the spring cover in response to the flexureof the-spring.

' It will be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are of an illustrativev character and are not restrictive, and that various changes in form, construction and arrangement of parts may be made within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent,is:

1. A spring cover comprising a plurality of alternating outer and intermediate inner sheet metal sections fabricated to conform to and adjacent sections acting to prevent relative longitudinal movement of certain horizontal portions of said sections while-permitting longitudinal relative movements of the opposite horizontal portions thereof, each of said outer sections being provided with overlapping edge portions adapted tobe interengaged and compressed to form a locked seam after the cover is applied to thespring and acting to clamp the inner sections upon the spring. 1

2. A spring cover comprising a plurality of alternating outer and intermediate inner sheet metal sections fabricated to conform to and closely to embrace corresponding sections of the spring with the ends of the outer sections telescopically overlapping the ends of the intermediate sections, means connecting'said sections acting to prevent relative longitudinal movement of the upper horizontal portions of said sections while permitting the longitudinal relative movements of the lower portions thereof, each of the lower horizontal portionsof said outer sections being provided with longitudinally extending overlapping edge portions extending the full length of said outer sections adapted to be interengaged and compressed to form a locked seam and acting to clamp the inner sections upon the spring. a Y

3. A spring cover comprising a plurality of sheet metal sections fabricated to conform to and closely torembrace corresponding sections of the spring and having complementary flanged edge portions extending longitudinally of said sections, but terminating short of an end thereof, and adapted to be interengaged and compressed to form a locked seam with the edges of nd the remaining portion of the section in substantial abutment and adapted telescopically: to enter the end of an adjacent section and to permit relative movement 7 between said sections while effectively enclosing the spring,- and means connecting the sides of the sections opposite to said seam acting to prevent relative longitudinal movement of said opposite side portions of adjacent sections.

oscAR E. LEIGHTon. 

